Tokyo Rent by Neighborhood 2026: Expat Price Guide
Complete breakdown of Tokyo apartment rents by neighborhood in 2026. Average costs for 1K, 1LDK and 2LDK across 15 key districts for expats budgeting their move.
Understanding Tokyo apartment prices before you start your search is the difference between a realistic brief and weeks of wasted visits. Rents in Tokyo vary enormously by neighborhood, apartment type, and proximity to a metro station. This guide gives you benchmarks for 15 key expat districts in 2026, based on current market data for furnished and unfurnished rentals.
Quick answer: Tokyo rents vary widely by neighbourhood and layout. Central premium areas (Hiroo, Roppongi, Minato) run 150,000 to 300,000 JPY for a 1LDK; mid-range areas offer more space per yen; outer wards are the most affordable. Always weigh rent against commute time. See our data-backed Tokyo Rent Index for medians by ward and train line.
How much does it cost to rent in Tokyo by apartment type?
| Apartment type | Typical monthly rent | Deposit | Guarantor needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share house (private room) | 40,000 to 90,000 JPY | 1 month or none | No |
| Monthly mansion (furnished studio) | 90,000 to 200,000 JPY | Often none | No |
| 1K unfurnished (standard lease) | 80,000 to 140,000 JPY | 1 to 2 months | Usually yes |
| 1LDK unfurnished | 150,000 to 300,000 JPY | 1 to 2 months | Usually yes |
Figures are indicative Tokyo ranges from current market listings; central wards sit at the top of each band.
All prices below are monthly rent in JPY, excluding service charges and utilities unless specified. Add 15-25% for fully furnished serviced apartments. For median rent across all 23 wards by layout, see our Tokyo Rent Index, computed from 528,660 real listings.
Tokyo Rent Comparison by Neighborhood: 2026
| Neighborhood | 1K / Studio | 1LDK | 2LDK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiroo / Minami-Azabu | 150,000-200,000 | 200,000-300,000 | 300,000-450,000 |
| Roppongi / Azabu | 130,000-180,000 | 180,000-280,000 | 280,000-400,000 |
| Akasaka / Nagatacho | 120,000-170,000 | 170,000-260,000 | 260,000-380,000 |
| Shibuya / Ebisu | 110,000-160,000 | 160,000-240,000 | 240,000-350,000 |
| Shinjuku (central) | 100,000-150,000 | 140,000-220,000 | 200,000-300,000 |
| Nakameguro / Daikanyama | 100,000-150,000 | 150,000-220,000 | 220,000-320,000 |
| Meguro / Gotanda | 95,000-140,000 | 140,000-210,000 | 210,000-300,000 |
| Shinagawa / Osaki | 85,000-130,000 | 130,000-200,000 | 200,000-280,000 |
| Shimokitazawa / Sangenjaya | 75,000-110,000 | 110,000-160,000 | 160,000-230,000 |
| Koenji / Nakano | 70,000-100,000 | 100,000-150,000 | 150,000-210,000 |
| Kagurazaka / Iidabashi | 100,000-145,000 | 145,000-220,000 | 220,000-310,000 |
| Akihabara / Kanda | 80,000-120,000 | 120,000-180,000 | 180,000-260,000 |
| Sumida / Ryogoku | 70,000-105,000 | 105,000-160,000 | 160,000-230,000 |
| Asakusa / Ueno | 72,000-108,000 | 108,000-165,000 | 165,000-235,000 |
| Monzen-Nakacho | 75,000-110,000 | 110,000-165,000 | 165,000-235,000 |
Prices in JPY/month, unfurnished, standard 2-year lease. Add 15-25% for furnished. Data: 2026 market averages.
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What Drives the Price Differences
Proximity to the diplomatic and business corridor
The cluster of Hiroo, Minami-Azabu, Roppongi and Akasaka commands the highest rents in Tokyo for expats. This area concentrates the largest share of foreign residents, international schools, and English-friendly services. Properties here often include amenities aimed at foreign tenants: 24-hour concierge, bilingual management, and direct access to Roppongi station.
Line and station quality
Properties within 5 minutes of a major hub (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi) carry a 15-25% premium over equivalent properties 10-15 minutes away. The same apartment moves from 160,000 JPY to 130,000 JPY if you are willing to walk an extra 8 minutes to the station.
Building age and type
Post-2010 buildings with seismic reinforcement (shin-taishin), elevator, auto-lock, and built-in appliances command a premium of 10-20% over older buildings. For expats planning a 2-3 year stay, newer buildings also reduce maintenance friction.
Floor level
High floors (8th and above) add 5-15% to the listed price in Tokyo. The premium is larger in buildings with panoramic views.
Which Neighborhood Suits Which Budget
Under 120,000 JPY/month: Shimokitazawa, Koenji, Nakano, Sumida, Monzen-Nakacho. These neighborhoods offer good quality of life, strong metro access, and an authentic Tokyo feel. Less international-facing infrastructure (fewer English-speaking services, fewer Western restaurants), but excellent value.
120,000-180,000 JPY/month: Shinjuku, Meguro, Shinagawa, Nakameguro, Ebisu. The sweet spot for most expat budgets. Good infrastructure, English-friendly environments, reasonable commute times to major business districts.
Over 180,000 JPY/month: Hiroo, Minami-Azabu, Roppongi, Akasaka, Shibuya. Full-service expat experience: international supermarkets, school proximity, English-speaking property managers. Suitable for families or professionals with housing allowances.
Why Budget-Only Searches Miss the Point
The cheapest apartment is rarely the best value. A 70,000 JPY studio 25 minutes from your workplace with no English-speaking property manager costs more in time and friction than a 110,000 JPY apartment that is 10 minutes away and managed in English.
For expats, the hidden cost of a mismatched apartment is measured in commute hours, isolation, and administrative difficulty. The most experienced expats start with neighborhood first, then filter by budget, not the other way around.
See: Tokyo neighborhoods guide for expats and how to find an apartment in Tokyo as a foreigner
What to Budget Beyond the Rent
When calculating your Tokyo housing budget, add:
- Agency fee (shoukoukin): 1 month of rent, non-refundable
- Security deposit (shikikin): 1-2 months of rent, partially refundable
- Key money (reikin): 0-2 months, non-refundable (increasingly negotiable, especially for foreign-friendly landlords)
- Guarantor fee: 0.5-1 month of rent per year if using a guarantor company
- Moving costs: 50,000-150,000 JPY depending on volume and distance
Total move-in cost for a 150,000 JPY/month apartment: approximately 500,000-800,000 JPY upfront.
For furnished apartments or monthly mansions, entry costs are typically lower (1-2 months), but monthly rent is 15-30% higher.
Contact us to discuss your budget and identify the neighborhoods where your price range gets you the best match.
For health coverage during your apartment search, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance offers monthly insurance with no commitment. To explore neighbourhoods before choosing, GetYourGuide offers guided tours across Tokyo. (affiliate links)
Read next: furnished apartments in Tokyo with no guarantor and Hiroo and Minami-Azabu expat neighborhood guide, Negotiating Rent in Tokyo: Is It Possible and How to Do It?, 7 Rental Traps to Avoid When Renting in Tokyo as a Foreigner, Tokyo Rental Contract: 12 Things to Check Before Signing, Furnished Apartment Tokyo: 5 Best Options for Expats in 2026, Gaijin House Tokyo: Complete Guide for Foreigners (2026), Expat Apartments in Tokyo: How to Find One in 2026, Furnished Apartments in Tokyo: The Complete Guide for Foreigners (2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
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